Stakeholder theory and the resource-based view of the organization both offer perspectives on how firms should be managed to create an optimal amount of value. The resource-based perspective defines value in terms of economic rents and suggests that organizations are in a strong position to generate higher rents if they possess resources that are valuable in the market, rare, nonsubstitutable and difficult to imitate. Resource-based theory, like many management theories, is ethics neutral. In contrast, most business decisions have ethical content because they influence the well being of the firm’s stakeholders. Stakeholder theory does not separate economics from ethics. The stakeholder perspective suggests that to create value one must focus on how value gets created for each and all stakeholders. It argues that firms that treat their stakeholders well (i.e., listen to them, consider their needs when making decisions, treat them fairly) will have the opportunity to create more value.

Although the two theories are very different in the way they answer the value creation question, they are both supported by substantial theory and empirical evidence. Furthermore, they are closely linked by one critical dimension—the fact exists that most resources are inseparably connected to one or more stakeholders of the firm. The purpose of the conference is to investigate the potential to integrate the resource-based view with stakeholder theory and to link these complementary theories to the creation of value. Several other theories may offer insights that help with the integration process, including network theory, service-dominant logic, agency theory, transactions cost economics and social justice theory.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Submission of papers that deal with stakeholder theory, resource-based theory, or value creation, are welcome; however, especially attractive will be papers that integrate two or all of these topics. We define value creation very broadly and encourage papers that examine both non-financial and financial aspects of value. Questions that might be addressed include:

• What are the stakeholder management characteristics that are best suited to obtaining particular types of resources?
• How does the introduction of an ethical component influence the resource-based view and the ability of the firm to obtain competitive advantage?
• How do governance characteristics influence the way firms treat stakeholders as they seek to obtain and utilize valuable resources?
• How can a resource-poor firm obtain competitive resources?
• What is the nature of the relationship between resources and stakeholders from a transactions cost perspective?
• Are there limits to stakeholder theory? For instance, when does a firm treat its stakeholders so well that its resource position deteriorates?
• How does managerial discretion influence resource acquisition and utilization decisions?
• Do slack resources lead to better stakeholder treatment?
• How do scarce resources influence the priority given to particular stakeholders and how does this influence value creation?
• What are the characteristics of an optimal firm network, from a resource-based and stakeholder perspective?
• Where are there contradictions between the resource-based and stakeholder perspectives?

We welcome work in early stages of development and from a variety of discipline including marketing, law, finance, accounting, management, operations, information technology, engineering, and business ethics.

ABSTRACTSUBMISSION OVER

To submit your final paper please follow the uploading procedure from the notification e-mail that EIASM sent you upon acceptance.

The proposal is composed by a cover page and the body of the proposal. Please note that the proposal has to be submitted as ONE document! The COVER PAGE should be a separate sheet including the following information: - Title - Each author's name, affiliation, address, telephone, fax, e-mail.
The BODY of the proposal will consist of 2 pages (cover page not included). All proposals should be single spaced in 11-point font in a conventional style such as Times New Roman.The proposal should include: - Purpose/topic of research - Research method or approach (if it is a conceptual paper) - Theories used to develop ideas, propositions or hypotheses - Contribution of research

PRACTICALITIES

VENUE

The workshop will be held at IESE Business School (South Campus) which is located in Pedralbes, an attractive residential area of Barcelona, just 20 minutes from downtown Barcelona and the airport. Address: IESE Business School, Ave. Pearson 21, 08034 Barcelona, Spain

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